'Changed my mind' - Mohamed Salah admits Liverpool regret as contract saga continues

Mohamed Salah admits he still feels bad about one big Champions League moment in his Liverpool career. The Egyptian has played in three Champions League finals for the Reds, scoring in their 2019 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid.

However, he was infamously forced off injured and in tears in the first half during their 2018 final defeat to Real Madrid before failing to find a way past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois four years later when the two sides met again - with Liverpool again suffering defeat - in the 2022 final in Paris.

The 32-year-old is the Reds’ all-time leading goalscorer both in Europe and the Champions League, with 43 of his 48 continental strikes for the club coming in UEFA’s elite club competition.

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He has continued such form in the current campaign, returning a goal and four assists from Liverpool’s four Champions League league matches so far to help Arne Slot’s men boast an 100% winning record and top the table at the halfway point.

Out of contract at Anfield next summer, Salah is well-aware that this is currently set to be his last season with the Reds. Consequently, he will no doubt be desperate to enjoy another extended Champions League run.

And when reflecting on winning the tournament with Liverpool in 2019, alongside team-mates Alisson Becker and Andy Robertson in the second episode of 'The Reds Roundtable', Salah admitted he actually feels bad about his opening goal from the penalty spot against Spurs because he changed his mind mid run-up.

"I changed my mind where to put the ball when I was running,” he explained. “I practised the whole week on the other side.

“Then I just took the run like this and when I hit the ball, I just changed my mind and I felt bad. I felt really bad after that, even until now. Every time I see it, I say, 'Why did I change my mind?'

"Because sometimes when you take a decision and you practise very well, and you miss, you don't feel bad about it. I did my everything and had bad luck.

“But when you change your mind in the Champions League final, it was too much pressure, to be fair.

“But I just managed to stay calm and say, 'Just shoot the ball inside the net and that's it.’

“Oh, sometimes, yeah (I’ve changed my mind). Sometimes, yeah. Not on this stage! I didn’t expect it on this stage!”

While Salah is out of contract next summer, the ECHO reported earlier this season that the forward is desperate to stay at Liverpool. Meanwhile, it has been reported overseas that the Reds will look to begin serious contract renewal negotiations with the Egyptian during the November international break.